Designated Doodler

I haven't written in this blog in a long time. So long, in fact, that I'm not quite sure where to start. This post, for whatever reason, feels pivotal. Maybe that's because my life has drastically changed, maybe this is the start of a new beginning or the end of a very long chapter. Whatever it is, I find myself here, in this familiar space, staring at the same screen I stared at in 2008 when I was just starting college. The same screen I came to in order to escape, in order to muse about life, wax on about hardships, and try my hand at poetry & art. Here is some of my recent artwork...

Here are the important tips about teaching art that you won't find in your first year teacher's survival guide. 1. Only leave out on the table the supplies that you want each grade to use. Little kids are like bloodhounds that can find a marker in a crayon stack, and it only takes one marker to mess up a project! 2. Never give your kids the color black, unless you are using it specifically, or their work will be 90% black. I'd also go ahead and pop out all of the black cakes in the watercolor palettes. 3. Demonstrate how to do absolutely everything, from using a glue stick properly to how to do the project, step by step. 4. Start the year off by immediately telling the kids that they will always, ALWAYS, only get ONE SHEET OF PAPER. Unless you want to singlehandedly destroy the rainforest, do not hand out paper like it's candy. Instill in the kids that their work is precious and should take time and care. And if they make mistakes, they need to think of ways...

With the passing of the summer solstice I've come to accept the end of summer, which most teachers would be sad about. But having worked six days a week all summer long, I don't feel as though I'm losing a break at all, but gaining one. And oh what a summer it's been. I found the love of my life, moved into a great place, got a new vehicle, thrown several parties, created curriculum, positively impacted the lives of high school students, made new friends, and finally got into the school district that I've been trying to get into for years. I'm thrilled to finally be able to teach art, although I've noticed an absurd bias in that some apparently believe that art "isn't important." But you can't be mad at ignorance. To that I would reply that it teaches cooperation, nurtures creativity, provides an outlet for stress and frustration, teaches fine motor skills, connects to the content in the classroom and opens worlds of possibilities. ...

Art is the only area of my life that I can afford to be fearless. In general, what prevents people from creating art is the fear that they're not good enough. They're worried about the "judges" and criticism. But my attitude is f*%& it, if you don't like my art I don't give a shit. I don't care because I'm not seeing the judges when I look into paint, I see a quiet unformed world that doesn't exist yet, that won't exist unless I make it exist. It is a 40x60 inch white curtain that I pull back with fingers, brushes, wires and palette knives. Does anyone care that I create art? Probably not. Does it garner me accolades or attention? Probably not. (another reason why people don't make art) And it sure as hell has no monetary pay off. Yet I always find myself standing in front of an easel again and again. Dozens of sketchbooks piling in corners of long lost territory. A creep of disappointment and pride when I look back through pages an...

Thanksgiving approaches. It's hard to believe it's here, yet here I am, wishing it were May. I suppose I should slow down and savor life. I think I've been enjoying myself. Here are a few pictures from life as I know it. And as my birthday approaches, I'm hoping for more fun and general shenanigans. Wish me luck! It wouldn't be my blog without some of my art, right?   Some student work that looks FANTASTIC. So proud of my kids. More of my art. Wolf. More unfinished art. Actually finished art. My sample for my students. Led some more painting classes. Then made some paintings of my own. Gobble. More art. My cat. My spirit animal. Trips to the HMFA!   Trips to Crave Cupcakes!! Roses, how sweet :D First place! The 'Stang.